FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist men's lacrosse raced out to an 11-3 halftime lead against visiting Randolph College before ultimately winning 14-4 in non-conference action Saturday afternoon.

Matt Pemberton scored the first three goals of the game, scoring them in a span of 70 seconds, and the Monarchs never once looked back.

The Pemberton-Bryce Kephart connection was exquisite, downright telepathic in this game. Kephart assisted on three of Pemberton's four goals and #22 returned the favor with an assist to #6 in the third quarter. Pemberton finished with a team-high seven points and four goals with three assists while Kephart had a team-high four assists, plus two goals.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Randolph, 14-4
Records: Methodist 2-3; Randolph 1-3
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Pemberton's run went like this -- 8:25, goal with an assist from Mark Chatt; 7:24, goal with an assist from Kephart; 7:15, goal with an assist from Kephart. Chatt's recovery of a ground ball led to the first goal and the common denominator in goals number two and three (besides #6 to #22) was Nick Lemieux winning possession on the faceoff. 3-0 Methodist lead just like that.
• Win the faceoff, win the game. Lemieux was 14-of-21 in faceoffs in this contest. (Methodist was 16-of-21 in faceoffs in the win against Ferrum.) Five of the first eight Methodist goals came in the same possession of the faceoff win.
• In a 16-minute stretch that spanned from the middle of the second period to the third, the Monarchs reeled off eight consecutive goals to turn a 6-3 lead into a commanding 14-3 advantage. Carter Favreau scored three of the first four goals in the run.

STAT FACTS

• In addition to winning faceoffs, Methodist recovered more ground balls than Randolph, a 35-24 differential. The Monarchs also were better at clearing the ball, going 19-of-20 (95 percent) on clear attempts, compared to 70 percent (14-of-20) for the Wildcats.
• Chatt was third on the team with four points, thanks to three assists and a goal. His three caused turnovers were a game-high.
• Matthew Sheinfeld scored two goals in the game, one of four Monarchs with multiple scores.
• Lemieux scooped up a game-high eight ground balls. Andrew Mayefskie, Tyler Bennett, and Justice Davis each had three recoveries.

UP NEXT
The Monarchs host Oglethorpe University at Monarch Stadium on Monday, March 2 at 1 p.m.